I Only Feel Put-Together When My Hair Is Pinned Down

Most mornings, I slick my hair back until my scalp aches. It’s the only way I know how to look like I have my life together, even when I don’t. Every pass of the comb is a silent apology for the mess underneath—the flyaways, the uneven part, the stubborn cowlick I never learned to love. Pomade on my hands, I press everything flat, pretending it’s control and not just another mask. I tell myself it’s just a style, but I know I’m hiding. If my hair is neat, maybe no one will notice how tired I am, or how much I want to disappear into the background. The shine is just a distraction. When I wash it out at night, I see the real me again—frizzy, soft, and a little lost. #MirrorFatigue #BeautyBurnout #SelfImageStruggle #Beauty #HairCare